“FFM” That’s what Governor Alfred E Smith said when asked about his education. He meant Fulton Fish Market. This nine-foot bronze statue in Alfred E Smith Park remembers him. It stands at the junction of Catherine Slip Madison and South Streets. The park was dedicated in 1950. This is more than just a statue. It’s a monument to a man. A man who rose from humble beginnings on the Lower East Side. A man who understood the struggles of the working class.
Governor Smith’s life was one of remarkable transformation. He was born in 1873. His childhood playground was diverse. Immigrants from Ireland Germany France Poland Italy and Spain lived there. He worked hard. He was a newsboy. Then he worked at the Fulton Fish Market. He earned only $15 a week. He even dropped out of school to help his family. But his determination and hard work propelled him upwards.
He became a powerful politician. He served twelve years in the Assembly. He was New York’s 42nd governor. He held office four times. His policies were progressive. He helped the poor and middle class. He created programs that formed the basis of President Roosevelt’s New Deal.
This statue isn’t just bronze and stone. It captures his spirit. His nickname was “The Happy Warrior”. He championed the working class. He fought against sweatshops and unsafe working conditions. He believed faith in God and faith in people weren’t mutually exclusive. Even though he lost the 1928 presidential election to Herbert Hoover he remained a prominent figure. He even became the public face of the Empire State Building.
The bas-relief on the statue shows children at play. It depicts “The Sidewalks of New York”. This song was always played at his campaign rallies. Paul Manship designed the flagpole base. It features animals native to New York before colonial settlement. Deer beavers owls and bears are all there.
Governor Alfred E Smith. A man from humble beginnings. A man who worked hard and made a difference. This statue stands as a powerful testament to his life. A life of service and dedication. A life that continues to inspire. Take a moment to reflect on the life of this remarkable man. His legacy lives on not only in this park but in the lives he touched.